Community shows support for family of Upstate soldier killed in Afghanistan

Monday

Nov 26, 2012 at 2:08 PM

GREER - The body of a soldier killed in Afghanistan was returned to the Upstate on Monday.

By JENNY ARNOLDjennifer.arnold@shj.com

GREER — A guard of more than 100 motorcyclists and hundreds of residents turned out on Monday to pay their respects to a fallen soldier they didn't know.U.S. Army Sgt. Channing "Bo" Hicks, 24, of Greer, was killed Nov. 16 in Afghanistan. His body was flown back to Greer via Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport."He wanted to be a soldier since the day he was born," said his mother, Amy Shaulis, speaking to reporters at the airport while waiting for the chartered flight carrying her son's body to arrive. "He was a hero."About 110 motorcyclists with the Patriot Guard turned out to meet the body at the airport and escort the family to Wood Mortuary. Patriot Guard member Walter Cuddy of Dacusville said his two sons are first lieutenants in the Army, and the son serving in Washington state is head of the Wounded Warrior Project there."It kind of hits close to home for me," said Cuddy, who said he's ridden with the guard eight times in the past four years, providing funeral escorts for fallen soldiers. "It's the least I can, to pay my respects to this young man and his family."That kind of support has been astounding to the family, Amy Shaulis and her husband, Glenn, said."It shows the patriotism of the people of Greer and Greenville and the people who knew him," said Glenn Shaulis said. "He died serving his country. He's an honorable man."Patriot Guard members lined up their bikes and stood curbside as the limousine, hearse and police cars escorting Hicks' family to the airport arrived. The guard members then lined the fence along the tarmac. Someone attached a small banner of American flags to the fence."We thank everyone for their support, their thoughts and prayers," said Bo Hicks' father, Chan Hicks. "We're so glad to have had him in our lives for the short time we did."Bo Hicks would have been home from his third deployment in February. With a smile, Chan Hicks said his son was looking forward to hunting and fishing. Bo, who had served two prior tours in Iraq, had volunteered for his third deployment and left in May. Bo and Spc. Joseph A. Richardson, 23, of Arkansas, were both killed when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device and small arms fire, officials said. The soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, at Fort Riley, Kan."He felt that was his calling," Chan Hicks said. "He felt it was his duty. The other guys were his family as much as we were. Our thoughts are with the men and women still serving and we hope each and every one of them comes home safe."It was quiet as everyone waited for the plane, the only sound coming from other planes at the airport landing or taking off.Hicks' uncle, Dennis "Pepper" Hicks, stood alone at first as the plane came in. He was then joined by members of his family, which included Bo Hicks' parents, siblings and grandparents. Many brushed away tears.As the flag-draped casket was taken out of the plane, Hicks' mother sobbed. An Army chaplain bent down on one knee, placed his hands on the casket and bowed his head for a short prayer before standing and saluting. A guard of officers carried the casket to the waiting hearse. Patriot Guard members stood by, saluting the casket or with hands placed over their hearts.The procession to Wood Mortuary in Greer was led by Greenville-Spartanburg airport police and Greer Police Department officers. Patriot Guard members mounted up and escorted the hearse and family cars in a thunderous line, with American flags, flags from different branches of the military and the guard's own yellow banners that read "Patriot Guard Riders - Standing for Those Who Stood for Us" billowing out behind many of the motorcycles.Residents lined the streets of Greer to greet the procession as it traveled through town. The fire department's ladder trucks were parked on either side of the street with a large American flag strung between them to meet the procession.Greer residents Charlene and Don Patterson, a member of the American Legion, were among those who came out to honor a soldier they had never met. They brought their granddaughter Victoria Boyter out to the airport on Monday.Charlene Patterson and Victoria held American flags and Charlene Patterson watched the procession until the last motorcycle rode out of sight."That was so beautiful, and sad, to see the people come out and say thank you to that young man," Charlene Patterson said.

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